Implementation of Drone Monitoring Planned for MGNREGA Projects

The employment guarantee program, MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), is set to incorporate drone surveillance as a means to enhance its operational effectiveness. Drones will be utilized to capture photos and videos of daily tasks undertaken as part of the program. This innovation is intended to provide authorities with valuable insights into the quality of the work being carried out.

In the past, an online attendance system was introduced to track daily wage laborers’ participation. Workers were required to submit their photos through a mobile application before commencing and upon completing their tasks. Furthermore, financial penalties were introduced for those who failed to meet their daily work quotas.

It is noteworthy that the MGNREGA initiative in Kerala, which engages around 21.88 lakh individuals, has been recognized for its efficiency and streamlined operations, experiencing fewer irregularities. The recent modifications proposed by the central government regarding MGNREGA procedures primarily target the states in Northern India. Conversely, Kerala intends to communicate its concerns to the central authorities, highlighting the practical challenges associated with implementing drone surveillance for overseeing MGNREGA operations.